Taking Back Sunday Is Right Where They Want To Be

October 30, 2004|By A. Simigis Chicago Tribune

In August, Taking Back Sunday's sophomore album, Where You Want to Be, landed at No. 3 on the Billboard charts. It was the first time the band's label, Chicago-based Victory Records, has ever cracked the Top 10.

The good news came during TBS's summer Warped Tour stint. "When we first heard, we thought someone was playing a mean joke on us," lead singer Adam Lazzara says with a laugh. "But life in general really hasn't changed too much -- except now we have people who call and want to ask us questions."

Back from a trip across the pond to play England's Reading Festival, the Long Island quintet is striking out on its own headlining club dates, playing with Fall Out Boy and Matchbook Romance. We got Lazzara's take on Jay-Z, Chris Martin and the only sport "punk rock" enough for him.

Q. How do you go from playing emo basement shows for 50 people to topping the Billboard charts?

A. Um, to be honest, I have no idea. Lots of dumb luck.

Q. Tell me about the girls at your shows who scrawl "TBS" on their foreheads and stomachs and swoon for you. Do you think of yourself as a sex symbol?

A. No way! I've always had a hard time getting girls to talk with me, period. And it's still the same. There's no armada of girls banging down our door.

Q. Now that you guys are big stars, who do you want to guest on your next album?

A. Jay-Z. He can just throw down a hook for us. I mean, the man goes to shows in helicopters. He's awesome.

Q. You and Eddie Reyes (TBS's founding member and guitarist) worked at a Long Island deli together. How'd that go?

A. Ed made the sandwiches and I delivered them. Ed makes a mean sandwich. The man knows what he's doing. He made this one Frankenstein wrap with everything in it -- it was awesome. I definitely gained some weight eating the Eddie special.

Q. Is there any music out there that you like?

A. Coldplay. They're the best band in the world. Listen to their records. They speak for themselves.

Q. Think Gwyneth Paltrow's a lucky woman to be married to Chris Martin?

A. I would marry Chris Martin.

Q. I'm guessing it would be a platonic marriage.

A. Maybe we'd hold hands. But who knows?

Q. Would you have named your daughter Apple too?

A. It'd probably be Banana or Strawberry. Either way, Chris'd be singing me to sleep every night -- otherwise he'd be sleeping on the couch.

Q. What's the best part about being on a Chicago record label?

A. Definitely hanging out at the Fireside Bowl.

Q. They're actually converting it back to a bowling alley. Will you go bowling there after your show?

A. Oh, yeah. I'm not that good, but bowling is the sport of punk rockers. It's the only sport where you can smoke and drink while you play. And those are the two things I'm best at.